Unite to defend benefits with Brighton Benefits Campaign protest!

As a result of the bankers’ crisis, over a million people lost their jobs. To pay off the bankers’ gambling debts, the government is making massive cuts to public spending that will throw over a million more onto the dole queue.

While the number dependent on welfare increases, the government is implementing major cuts to benefits for the sick and disabled, the unemployed, single parents and those on low wages.

At the same time millions of pounds of public money are being diverted to private companies as our services including health, welfare and education are hived off.

To justify their actions the government is trying to divide the people, painting the unemployed and sick as lazy scroungers. The truth is that welfare cuts – which create misery and destroy lives – amount to many times less than the unpaid taxes owed by fat cat businessmen.

At any time, we can find ourselves in need of help. We must be able to rely on a decent, publicly funded and run welfare system. Public good cannot be served by private greed.

How to get involved

Trades union councils consist of representatives of trade unions or branches of trade unions which meet within the area covered by that council, or which have members working or living in the area. A union branch will normally affiliate to the trades unions council in the area in which it meets.

Affiliated unions

Who are we and what do we do?

Trades union councils bring together trade unions to campaign around issues effecting working people in their workplaces and local communities.

Trades Union Councils consist of trade unions or branches oftrade unions which meet within the area covered by that council, or which have members working or living in the area. A union branch will normally affiliate to the trades union council in the area in which it meets. Each branch will then send delegates to the trades union council's meetings. These branches pay an affiliation fee. Their delegates elect officers from amongst themselves to represent the views and priorities of the constituent branches and to take responsibility for working for and supporting the policy of Congress and the Trades Union Council (TUC) General Council. This is because trades union councils are registered with the TUC, rather than being entirely independent bodies. The Annual Conference of Trades Union Councils takes place over a May weekend.

Aims and objectives

> Raise public awareness of rights at work and the union role in enforcing those rights.

> Support union and community campaigns for dignity and respect in the workplace and beyond.

With the threats of racism and fascism, changes in the labour market and debates over the future of public services, the trade union voice in the community is as important as ever. The capacity of trades union councils to provide a local response and to organise trade unionists into coalitions with other progressive forces is crucial. They do this by providing services which keep local trade unionists up to date with developments within the wider trade union movement, and by taking up relevant local industrial and community issues.